Some Rocky River residents advised to evacuate

posted by Tom Moore, Newsradio WTAM 1100
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2 years ago

(Rocky River) -- People living near the mouth of the Rocky River are being urged by police in the city named for the river to evacuate due to the potential for flooding.

Lt. Larry Stalter of the Rocky River Police tells WTAM 1100 that the warmer weather and rain has caused ice from the river to break up. That ice is now jammed under the Detroit Road bridge, and is starting to back up onto the parking lot of the Emerald Necklace Marina, which is in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Stalter says they fear that the ice could break free any time, causing flooding in the river basin near the mouth of the river.

Stalter says people in that area -- about 25-35 homeowners -- are being told to either watch the river, or even consider evacuation right now. Two Rocky River police officers are on duty, monitoring water levels.

According to Stalter, this ice jam has the potential to be worse than the one in January, as that was a simple breakup of ice, whereas this time, this is the equivilent of a spring thaw.

Those who need a place to go can go to the Rocky River Memorial Hall in the city complex at Hilliard and Wagar Roads.